Khamzat Chimaev weighed on UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev's potential bulking for a switch to middleweight.
UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev wants a shot at the status of a two-way world championship after his most recent lightweight defending defense on UFC 311. Not long after the fast work of Renato Moicano in the Maine event of UFC 311, Makhakev focused his attention on potential popping up In potentially popping up in potential emergence in potential emergence in potential emergence in potential emergence on possible increase to 185 pounds to challenge for the middleweight championship, a bulk-up of 30 pounds.
Makhachev broke his old friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov's lightweight title defense record with his victory over Moicano. Nurmagomedov, a UFC Hall of Famer, never fought for a second division world title during his illustrious career.
Makhachev wants to separate itself from many other greats of all time by earning a second belt. But Chimaev, who has successfully made the full -time switch from good weight to middleweight, does not believe that it will produce positive results.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Khamzat Chimaev warns Islam Makhachev against middleweight Move
In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Chimaev responded to Makhachev's comments about moving to the middleweight division.
“If he wants to, let him do it. If the du plessis is or not, Islam can fight someone, “said Chimaev. “It's only about his possibilities. I will also fight against everyone I want. If Islam gets his chance, let him fight for it. If not, what can I say?
“I don't think they make him jump two weight distributions. He could fight better on 170, this is my opinion. As for 185, I am now the king here. “
Chimaev will probably get the next middleweight title shot against Dricus du Plessis after the successful title defense of the latter at UFC 312. He defeated former former title holder Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 to catapult the rankings of the middleweight.
Du Plessis has repeatedly warned Makhachev for a middleweight movement. But the two pound-for-pound stars may be on a collision course, especially if Makhachev passes on a shot to the current UFC Welterweight champion.
Islam Makhachev's 'Champ-Champ' pursuit complicated by Team Khabib teammate
The teammate of Makhachev, Belal Muhammad, currently has the UFC Welterweight title. Both parties rejected a potential fight in the midst of the 'Champ-Camp' comments from Makhachev, and Makhachacthev gave Muhammad 'complicated' his welterweight plans.
Nurmagomedov also says that his 'heart is not good' with Makhachev and Muhammad collide in a future fight. Despite the first hesitation, Makhachev opened the door to Mohammed when he was asked to compare a possible fight with champion of featherweight Ilia Topuria.
In the meantime, Makhachev and Chimaev have different views over the potential addition of the lightweight champion to the middleweight division. Time will learn whether their paths will cross because both similar activities begin.
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